Re: Mad Scientist: Yes, you too can change your wheel bearing.

Why don't you go do a write up or something?

I bought the bearings from autozone, they said timken on the tag, I burned the first pair out in 30,000 miles. one at 27,500 one at 29,000.
Multiple members of my old grand prix group had issues with these bearings.
The installation went perfectly.
Installation methods were even varied.
From one bolt at a time to putting all three in and then going a turn round and round and round till tight.
Torque wrenches were used, instructions followed, locktite applied.
There was NO error in installation.

I am going to try to meet you halfway on this.
I bought it at autozone, this is the only experience I have had with timken.
Now, autozone could have been getting lower grade parts from timken to boost their profit margins so that the parts I received were not up to the normal stellar par of timken's general lines.
Or they could have been buying crap and putting it in different boxes, I certainly wouldnt put it past them.

Re: Mad Scientist: Yes, you too can change your wheel bearing.

Originally Posted by Kael

Why don't you go do a write up or something?

I bought the bearings from autozone, they said timken on the tag, I burned the first pair out in 30,000 miles. one at 27,500 one at 29,000.
Multiple members of my old grand prix group had issues with these bearings.
The installation went perfectly.
Installation methods were even varied.
From one bolt at a time to putting all three in and then going a turn round and round and round till tight.
Torque wrenches were used, instructions followed, locktite applied.
There was NO error in installation.

I am going to try to meet you halfway on this.
I bought it at autozone, this is the only experience I have had with timken.
Now, autozone could have been getting lower grade parts from timken to boost their profit margins so that the parts I received were not up to the normal stellar par of timken's general lines.
Or they could have been buying crap and putting it in different boxes, I certainly wouldnt put it past them.

Timken bearings would have Timken clearly engraved in the bearing races to the degree that a blind man could identify them. Timken doesn't make bearings of lesser quality. They are all made by the same processes and machinery. What is different is the QC process that certifies the accuracy of the higher graded bearings. What I have done is verify the accuracy of lower grade bearings and verify that they meet the specs of their higher grade counterparts because of shortages in the supply chain. The bearings are all the same. What is different is the certification. The very highest quality machine tools made use Timken bearings. It's possible that some engineer decided to select a bearing that was not intended for the use it was applied to but was for some other application and failed as a result. If you can't trust Timken there is nobody left because they are the best there is. On the other hand, when you make something that is fool proof there always seems to be a better fool come along to fill the breach. Bearings fail from overload, wrong installation, dirt, improper lubrication or other causes and the cause of the failure can usually be determined by a careful examination of the residue. Timken engineers can quickly diagnose the problem for you if you'll give them a chance.http://www.timken.com/en-us/Knowledg...rtCatalog.aspx

Re: Mad Scientist: Yes, you too can change your wheel bearing.

Originally Posted by Cartdawg

Kael!

AWESOME write up!! lol..I have some kind of 'whining' in my front passenger area, and I have no idea what it is..I've taken it to the dealer..they can't find/hear anything even when they take it out and drive it...only happens randomly. Usually it seems when i'm de-celerating it starts whining...weird..

You think it could be a bearing? Or would a bearing be a CONSTANT whining/groaning? Just curious....b/c this whining thing in my 05 is driving me nuts.....and I have NO idea what it is..nor does the dealer b/c they can't reproduce it....

I too have a loud intermittent whine coming from the passenger side. It happens when I accelerate and only when my wife is in the car.

Re: Mad Scientist: Yes, you too can change your wheel bearing.

In my experience, OEM bearings are best. the replacements (timken or otherwise) are 'usually' not specific to the forces, (wear and load) applied in the desired application. as an engineer we use the "machinery's handbook" along with manufactures specs to choose proper bearings for an application.

the OEM bearings are selected then tested for the specific vehicle, so to settle this dispute. go OEM.

Re: Mad Scientist: Yes, you too can change your wheel bearing.

Originally Posted by Cartdawg

Kael!

AWESOME write up!! lol..I have some kind of 'whining' in my front passenger area, and I have no idea what it is..I've taken it to the dealer..they can't find/hear anything even when they take it out and drive it...only happens randomly. Usually it seems when i'm de-celerating it starts whining...weird..

You think it could be a bearing? Or would a bearing be a CONSTANT whining/groaning? Just curious....b/c this whining thing in my 05 is driving me nuts.....and I have NO idea what it is..nor does the dealer b/c they can't reproduce it....

I too have a loud intermittent whine coming from the passenger side. It happens when I accelerate and only when my wife is in the car.

Re: Mad Scientist: Yes, you too can change your wheel bearing.

Getting ready to order a front hub for my 2006 cts. Found this interesting note on the order page which may explain why some Timken products are better than others.

Note: Timken partners with other manufacturers to supply their complete line of quality parts. This product is in a Timken package, however the part may have been manufactured by an independent Timken supplier.

interesting! I am going to order it anyway and will report back to what I find and/or how they work.